Real Thing

by Scott, Lisa

  “How’s that ice cream cone coming?” he asked.

  Jane frowned. “I got too much. Now I have a broken leg and brain freeze.”

  He glanced at Ellen, who gazed across the street. Was she watching Tonya, too? Ellen knew he and Tonya had been an item way back when. Ellen looked at Tommy. “You can catch up with us later if you’d like. I’m sure you have your own things to do.”

  “I certainly do, like helping to eat a giant ice cream cone.” He took a giant bite of the ice cream and cringed at the cold rush that went straight to his brain.

  Jane laughed. “Maybe I should’ve gotten a quintuple scoop.” She took another lick. “Can we go home and watch a movie?”

  Tommy looked at Ellen and she shrugged.

  “Let’s do it,” he said.

  ***

  Jane sat on the couch while Ellen loaded the movie into the DVD player. Jane patted the seat next to her. “Sit here, Daddy.”

  Tommy sank into the spot while Ellen sat in the recliner kitty-corner to the couch.

  “Mommy, you have to sit over here, too.”

  Of course, the only open spot was right next to Tommy. Ellen looked at him, and he patted the seat next to him. “We’re going to need some help with this popcorn. Especially since I filled up on that giant ice cream cone.” He tickled Jane and she snuggled into his arm, and the tip of his nose stung as he felt tears threatening to come on.

  “I wish you could stay here every night, Daddy.”

  He patted her knee. “That’s sweet of you to say.”

  “You could if you wanted to while she’s in that cast,” Ellen said. “If it’s easier than running over here morning and night, I can make up the guest room for you.”

  He was stunned by the offer. Except for big events like birthdays and school plays, the three of them didn’t do much as a group. It would be quite an adjustment now being together every day.

  Jane brought her hands together as if in prayer. “Please, Daddy, please? I really need your help.”

  Jane did need his help. And it wasn’t forever. Plus, he’d be spending most of his time the next few weeks working, thanks to the dang show. How could he say no? “I guess that would be the easiest thing. Sure, I’ll stay until your cast is off.”

  Jane wrapped her arms around Tommy and squeezed. “This is gonna be great! Just like we’re a family.”

  His heart crushed at that, but his phone beeped with a text distracting him from the bad feeling. “Hope this isn’t work.” Truth was, in a town like Willowdale, he didn’t get off-hour calls very often. He read the text. It was from Tonya. “Got time to chat?”

  He stared at the words for a moment. He wished he did have the time for Tonya. But right now, there was one pretty little woman in the world who needed his attention more than anyone. So he texted back, “Can’t right now. Have a good night.” He was tempted to add “beautiful” or “I’ll be dreaming about you.” But it just wasn’t a good time to rekindle something with her again. He wanted to get things right this time. Besides, he only had to wait until Jane was better before he tried to start over with Tonya. It’d been years since they were together. What harm was there in waiting a few weeks?

  Chapter 4

  Tonya had just lowered the dryer over Edna’s freshly set hair when Tommy walked into the shop. It was two in the afternoon. She narrowed her eyes. “What a surprise, Chief.” Was he expecting an afternoon delight? That wasn’t part of their deal.

  Edna raised the dryer so it wasn’t covering her ears.

  “I’m not here for a trim.”

  “How’s Jane?” Tonya asked.

  He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Oh, she’ll be fine. Has a tough time getting around with that cast. Can I talk to you for a moment?”

  Tonya followed him out the door as a frowning Edna tugged the dryer lid back down now that the conversation was out of earshot.

  Tonya took a deep breath to calm her swirling insides. When people yank you outside for a talk, it’s usually not a pleasant one. “What’s up?” She put her hands on her hips. “Not used to seeing you here when the sun’s so high in the sky.”

  His lips formed a tight line. “Yeah, I know. But I wanted you to hear this from me first. Jane needs help getting up and down the stairs. So I’m going to be staying at Ellen’s house until Jane’s out of the cast.”

  Tonya’s heart started thumping like a drum. “You mean living there?”

  Looking down, he shifted his feet. “Yes. It’s just for Jane. I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

  Tonya forced a smile. “You’re a good dad.”

  He grabbed her hand. “You’re angry.” She yanked herself out of his grip. “I’m not. What right do I have to be mad?” Not mad, scared is more like it. A lot could happen between two people under the same roof in six weeks. But she had no right to complain. “Tommy, we’re not a couple. We’re just having fun. Do what you’ve got to do. Listen, I gotta get back to work. I appreciate the heads up before the gossip train delivers the news. And I hope Jane gets better soon.” She scooted back inside, but caught a glimpse of Tommy staring at the ground before walking away. She’d been so flustered she hadn’t even talked to him about the show. She needed feedback, fast.

  With a trembling hand, she grabbed her phone and texted Kate and Jeanne. “Much to discuss. Meet me at the salon at six.”

  ***

  Tonya was tidying up when Kate walked in with pizza.

  She was followed by Jeanne carrying a tray full of desserts. “Left over from today’s craft services for the show. We figured something sweet would help whatever’s going on.”

  “Does it involve a six-foot tall blond lawman?” Kate asked.

  “You know it does,” Tonya said. She grabbed a few plates from the kitchenette and joined the girls in the sitting area.

  “Is this about Tommy’s early morning trims?” Jeanne asked.

  “You know about that, too?” Tonya asked.

  Jeanne bit her lip. “Most people do.”

  “You were warned when you moved here—Willowdale is no place to keep a secret,” Kate said.

  “So is this serious?” Jeanne asked.

  Tonya considered swearing, but sighed instead. “We’ve been hooking up occasionally—just for fun. But now it seems to be happening more often. I don’t know what to make of it. I don’t know what I want. And at the same time, I’ve been thinking being on that reality show might be a good idea too. Just for something different.”

  “Like, for getting a guy out of your heart?” Jeanne asked. “That would be one benefit,” Tonya said. “Especially since I don’t know if I could go down that road with Tommy again.” She shrugged. “The producer says I have a spot on the show if I want it. He thinks I could make a bundle selling my bumper stickers. That’s what really got me thinking about it.”

  Kate bounced in her seat. “Seriously, you’re considering being on the show? It would be a hoot.”

  Tonya twisted her lips. “But is that a good idea if I end up wanting Tommy back? I keep flip-flopping on what I should do about that man.”

  “Being on the show might help you decide what you really want,” Jeanne said.

  “And it might kick his butt into gear and make him think about giving you something more than he is right now,” Kate added.

  Tonya snatched a brownie from the tray. “Oh, I didn’t tell you. He’s living at Ellen’s house while Jane recovers from her broken leg.”

  Kate and Jeanne both lowered their plates to their laps, wide-eyed.

  Tonya paused, holding the brownie midair. “What? He’s just helping out. He’s a good dad.”

  “Exactly,” Kate said. “Tommy is a good guy who always wants to do the right thing.”

  “Like helping his daughter.” Tonya sunk her teeth into the sweet treat.

  Kate and Jeanne were silent.

  The brownie felt lodged in Tonya’s throat. She swallowed hard. “What? Just spit out whatever it is you’re so afraid to say.
”

  Kate blew out a breath. “It’s just that they’re going to be a family again for a while.”

  “And he might think the right thing to do is….” Jeanne said.

  “Get back together with Ellen?” Tonya whispered, as if the thought hadn’t already niggled the back of her brain.

  Kate shrugged. “Maybe for Jane’s sake.”

  Jeanne set her hand on Tonya’s arm. “Don’t panic. It’s just a theory. Knowing Tommy.”

  “Maybe you should tell him how you feel before he makes a mistake,” Kate said.

  Tonya snapped her head away, looking out the window. Tommy, Ellen, and Jane, who was ambling on crutches, were slowly moving down the sidewalk. Tommy was talking to Ellen and set a hand on her shoulder.

  Tonya sighed. “Speak of the devil.”

  “Talk to him,” Kate said.

  Tonya shook her head. “I’m not getting in the middle of that. I won’t be his reason not get back with Ellen, if that’s what he wants. Wouldn’t he always resent me? And I’m not even sure I want him back. Things didn’t work out well the first time.”

  “Then the reality show is a good idea,” Jeanne suggested. She nudged Tonya with her elbow. “Brad and I would be cooking for you each day.”

  “It’d give you something to do while Tommy’s playing house. Maybe we’re wrong. Maybe being there with Ellen will remind him of all the reasons it didn’t work out,” Kate said. “If you recall, he was engaged to me when he found out she was pregnant. He said he didn’t love her. It was a short relationship he had when we were on a break.”

  “He only married her because of the baby,” Jeanne said. “Because it was the right thing to do.”

  “Reviewing his past, I can’t understand why I’m infatuated with this guy,” Tonya said quietly. “But I am.”

  “You two were a great couple,” Jeanne said.

  “The two of you light up when you’re around each other,” Kate said. “Plus Tommy’s grown up a lot. He’s a good man. He just hasn’t always been the best boyfriend.”

  Tonya snorted. “Yet I loved him,” she said, setting aside the rest of her brownie. Things were bad when she couldn’t force down dessert. “I wish I knew what was the right thing to do,” She looked over at her bumper stickers and the one that caught her eye said, Take a Chance. That’s what her nonna always told her. And it seemed like a sign. But take a chance on what? Tommy or the show?

  “Got a quarter?” she asked the girls. She’d thrown a dart to decide where to move, a coin flip seemed like a good solution to her problem in this case.

  Jeanne fished a coin out of her purse. “What are you doing?”

  “Deciding whether to talk to Tommy or go on the show.” Tonya turned the quarter over and over in her palm, the metal sticking to her clammy hand. “Tails I talk to Tommy, heads I go on the show.” She tossed the coin in the air, caught it, and smacked on the back of her hand. “Call it,” she told Kate. She closed her eyes and pulled back her hand.

  “Heads,” Kate said.

  “You’re going on the show!” Jeanne said.

  Panic surged through her. “Guess I’ve got some calls to make.”

  ***

  Tonya dialed the number Vinny had given her and cleared her throat as she waited for him to answer. Maybe he’d changed his mind. Maybe he’d been kidding.

  “Go,” Vinny said.

  “Um, what?” Tonya said.

  Vinny sighed over the phone. “Go on. Tell me what you need to say.”

  She cleared her throat. “This is Tonya Garcia.”

  “Oh, hey,” he said. “Give more thought to my proposal?”

  “I did. And I’d like to be on the show. If you still want me.”

  “Hell, yeah,” he said. “We’ve already picked our six Willowdale contestants, but we can throw you into the mix and with thirteen contestants, we’ll call it a baker’s dozen. Seems like a small town kind of thing, doesn’t it? I just know it’ll be more interesting with you on board. Excellent. I’ll get those contracts drawn up and sent over right away.”

  “So what’s next?” Tonya asked, rubbing Chewie’s ear.

  “Keep this quiet until we announce the contestants later this week. We start filming next Monday. You’ll keep working, living at your place. The actors coming in from Hollywood will be at the O’Hara mansion. I’ll get you a daily itinerary so you can schedule your clients around our shooting schedule.”

  Chewie looked up at her, whining, as if the dog knew she wouldn’t be around as much. “Okay. Sounds good. One more thing, Vinny.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’m going to need someone to let Chewie out during this fiasco.”

  He chuckled. “There’s the spirit. No problem, we’ll have someone assigned to dog duty. This is going to be fun, I promise.”

  “I sure hope you’re right.” She hung up and prepared to do something that definitely wouldn’t be fun—telling Tommy the news.

  Chapter 5

  Tonya had left a message for Tommy to stop by the shop the next morning, but he texted back that he couldn’t make it at seven—he had to help Jane get to school. Even so, Tonya woke early and paced the shop waiting for him. Chewie was at her heels, her nails click clacking on the floor as she followed her.

  Finally, he showed up half an hour before her first appointment. “Morning,” Tommy said, without moving in for a kiss. Since he kept a distance between them, she did too.

  “How’s Jane?” she asked.

  “She’s hanging in there. I know she likes having me around to help.”

  “Ellen must like that, too,” Tonya said.

  He wouldn’t look at her. “She doesn’t seem to mind.”

  Whatever closeness she’d felt with him the last few times they’d been together must’ve been a misunderstanding. This man didn’t even seem like he wanted to be standing near her, much less heading to bed with her again.

  She cleared her throat. “I’m not supposed to say anything yet, so don’t tell anyone, but I wanted you to hear it from me first.”

  He looked at her, his eyebrows knitted together. “Go on.”

  “I’m going to be a contestant on that dating show.”

  He blinked at her a few times. “The one you called a fool idea?”

  “That would be the one.”

  He blinked a few more times, then scratched his head. “Why the change of heart?”

  She shrugged, her words tumbling out quickly. “It’ll be good publicity for the salon. I might even sell my bumper stickers online. The producer thought fans might like them. So, it just seemed like a good idea. It’s not like I’ve got guys lining up to be my boyfriend in this tiny town. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone.”

  Tommy was silent. And that said a lot to Tonya. He didn’t care if she was taking part in a dating show.

  “I was too quick to say the show was bad for the town,” Tonya explained. “Jeanne and Brad will be doing daily catering, so it will be good news for lots of people. And hey, maybe someone on the show really will find true love.”

  Tommy nodded and sighed. “True love is what everyone wants. So why is it so dang hard to find?”

  “It’s not that hard to find, it’s just awfully hard not to lose,” Tonya said. “Love is real easy to screw up.”

  Tommy stared at her. “Don’t I know it? I’m excellent at screwing things up.”

  Tonya said nothing, because he was right. He’d ruined his relationship with Kate right out of college when they’d taken a break and he got Ellen pregnant. Then he ruined things with Ellen, because she thought he still wanted Kate. And of course, he’d called out Kate’s name when he was in bed with Tonya, so he wasn’t exaggerating about being King Screw-up. “I guess you’ll know when it’s right because you don’t mess it up.” She waited for him to protest, to beg her not to do this.

  But Tommy took a step back. “I wish you the best with this. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

  Her throat tigh
tened. He wasn’t begging her not to do this. He wasn’t upset. He didn’t care. “I hope you do, too.”

  He tipped his hat and left the salon.

  Tonya went upstairs, turned on a hot shower, and stepped in for a good sob fest. That was the only time she ever allowed herself to cry—in the shower—where no one could see or hear her. It was pretty clear now. Tommy didn’t want her for anything more than a good time.

  ***

  Town crews were hanging a “Willowdale: Small Town, Big Love” sign across Main Street as Tommy climbed in his cruiser. He slammed his fist against the steering wheel and swore. He didn’t want to watch Tonya dating other men on television. But he had no right to tell her not to do it. He wanted her. But begging her to change her mind would’ve been pathetic at this point. After all this time, she wouldn’t believe he wanted a shot with her right as she was ready to move on and find somebody on the show. I shouldn’t have waited.

  He went back to the station and called Dolly into his office. “I want you to put out a memo to all town officials and police department employees,” he said.

  She sat down with her laptop. “Go ahead.”

  He steepled his fingers and looked out the window. “Due to the anticipated increase of visitors coming to Willowdale over the next few weeks, the police department will be operating a speed trap right at the town limits. This should keep our town safe from reckless drivers as well as raise some much needed revenue.” Plus it was the only thing about this damn situation that might make him feel better. Nothing beat handing out a ticket to a stranger trying to zip through Willowdale. He smirked. That’s how he’d met Tonya when she first moved here. And he’d give her one again if he caught her speeding these days. Especially now.

  Dolly stopped typing. “Is that all?”

  “For now.”